The Radisson hotel, which acts as the gateway to this city's northwestern border, is expanding, getting a facelift and changing names. It is expected to become a Marriott, said Housh Ghovaee, head of the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce. The changeover could come within the next month.

The interior of the nine-story hotel at 12600 Roosevelt Blvd. will undergo renovations. The ballroom will be expanded by 11,000 square feet, and the hotel will add 51 suites to the 100 already there. The most obvious change will be the addition of a wing.

The Radisson, which was built in 2001 for $20-million, has 205 rooms and suites, a full-service restaurant, 17,155 square feet of meeting space and an outdoor swimming pool.

ST. PETERSBURG

Downtown Blimpie throws in the towel

The Blimpie Subs and Salads shop on Central Avenue downtown closed Friday. Manager Kathy Ryan said the cost of rent and the number of people who work downtown versus the number of restaurants in the area were the causes.

She said the crew was notified about the closing Monday. As of Friday, the three employees had not been offered transfers or severance, Ryan said.